Illustration & Visual Narrative - Task 1: Vormator Challenge

25.09.2024 - 11.10.2024 / Week 1 - Week 3

Chan Zhi-Ren Zenndan / 0369069

Illustration & Visual Narrative / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylor's University

Task 1: Vormator Challenge

---

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. LECTURES

2. INSTRUCTIONS

3. VORMATOR PROCESS

4. REFLECTION

---

1. LECTURES

Week 1: Since there was no lecture, Mr Hafiz informed the students to review the material uploaded to Google Classroom.

Week 2: The Bezier Game was introduced to the students, which is basically a game to practice using the pen tool. We were also taught how to use a few other tools and shortcuts in Adobe Illustrator, which would come in helpful in our Vormator exercise.

Week 3: We learned about shape psychology and how each shape carries unique meanings. We had to see what shape our Vormator carries and try to incorporate its meanings into our design. We also learned and practiced using the shape builder and pathfinder tool, which would help us create patterns for our vormator.

Back to top

2. INSTRUCTIONS

<iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BPouVY9uIwePvXyfRW9JBZ1d0w3Uu4gj/preview" width="640" height="480" allow="autoplay"></iframe>

Back to top

3. VORMATOR PROCESS

As a fan of the horror genre and the concepts of villains, I wanted to incorporate those elements into a ghost from Pac-Man.

• Shape Psychology: Each shape has its own meaning and influences our minds and reactions differently. There are many psychological tests that are used to define the personality or mental condition via shapes.

Following shape psychology, which essentially associates circles with the words 'soft, unity, cute, power, and innocence,' I decided to have my Vormator look scary yet cute and somewhat innocent.

Fig 3.1 Shape psychology for circles.

Fig 3.2 References, Week 2 (2/10/2024)

Fig 3.3 Vormator shapes.

General Rules

    1. No altering the Vormator shapes.

    2. No stretching of the Vormator shapes (maintain proportions by holding Shift and dragging).

    3. No shapes outside of the Vormator set are added.

    4. Only 3 colors are allowed in the silhouette, unlimited in extra submission.

    5. Shape Builder and Pathfinder tools only allowed for patterns (updated after attempts).

Limited to 8 shapes and a set of rules, I compiled 10 attempts of my Vormator.

Fig 3.4 10 attempts of my vormator, 'Hyde,' Week 3 (9/10/2024).

I loved the 10th attempt with the eye, but I had to revert to using the original set of shapes due to further clarification on using the Shape Builder tool. After a few changes, I finally decided on my final work.

Fig 3.5 Final attempt of 'Hyde.'

I decided to submit another version for the 'extra marks' submission, this time using the Shape Builder and Pathfinder tools to design patterns.

Fig 3.6 Extra version of 'Hyde.'

Back to top

4. REFLECTION

The Vormator challenge was a fun exercise to expand beyond our creativity. I was initially worried about what I could do with such limited shapes; however, after what Mr Hafiz displayed in tutorials and practicals, he proved that mastering the Illustrator tools is essential and will greatly help me make my Vormator. I learned how to play with layers, masking, shape-building, and many other shortcut keys, which will be useful in the future.

Back to top